entrance - stair and columns - sf-old-mint

entrance - stair and columns - sf-old-mint

The Old Mint (San Francisco)

Built in 1874 during the gold rush, the Old Mint was once the busiest mint in the United States.­ One of the last government buildings constructed in the Greek Revival style, it is also the city's oldest stone buildings.­ The mint operations were moved to a new facility in 1933.­

The Old Mint has been closed and abandoned since 1993, threatened by demolition until the federal government transfered the building ownership to the city of San Francisco in 2003.­

The San Francisco Old Mint, built in 1874 during the gold rush, was once the busiest mint in the United States.­ One of the last government buildings constructed in the Greek Revival style, it is also the city's oldest stone buildings.­ The mint operations were moved to a new facility in 1933.­

The Old Mint has been closed and abandoned since 1993, threatened by demolition until the federal government transfered the building ownership to the city of San Francisco in 2003.­

The current plan is to reopen the Old Mint in a couple of years after extensive renovations, and use it for a city museum combined with shops, restaurants, and office space for nonprofits.­

I took those interesting photos in august 2004 during a un-official visit organized by a group of local supporters of the Old Mint.­

The highlight of the visit was the underground brick vaults, still equipped with the original engraved safe doors.­

Equipment used: Sony DSC F828 (8 Mega-pixel) with 4GB Microdrive.­

If you are also interested by urban exploration, i.­e.­ exploring disused buildings and factories, abandoned tunnels, etc, check out www.­urban-resources.­net, an excellent database of photography books and other resources on this subject.­